Today in Ohio...

[citizen]

Today, Both Kerry and Bush are in my Ohio neighborhood, so I thought I’d post a brief update.

I would estimate this morning’s Akron, Ohio Kerry crowd at 12 to 15 thousand people. That is strictly my non-scientific estimate, which puts it right in there with what you here in the media.

Kerry appeared at Firestone Stadium, which is a small basball park. The place was packed, including many people seated on the surrounding hillside. Labor made up a big part of the audience, and included Teamsters, Service Employees. Steelworkers and many others. Kerry was introduced by John Sweeny, President of the AFL-CIO. He was also accompanied by John Glenn, Dennis Kucinich, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, and Sherrod Brown, among others.

I attended along with a group of Ohio Veterans. We were provided with a small area right near the stage, which was great. The most astounding part was that when our group entered the stadium, a spontaneous round-of cheers and applause erupted that brought tears to my eyes. Many Veterans among the general audience were also in evidence. In our group there was a retired Colonel, a Swift Boat Vet, and many Vietnam Vets, including a few in uniform. It was very gratifying to see the number of Vets out there who are not buying the Bush sponsored Swift Boat Liars.

Kerry’s speech was tough on Bush, without being overly ‘negative’. I was particularly pleased that he addresed the Bush fear campaign head-on, saying something like “These people are trying to scare Americans because they have so little else that they can point to....” Some of the loudest applause came when he attacked the new overtime rules put in place by Bush.

He also commented on several of Bush’s recent promises such as more funding for Pell grants and workforce training, saying that these were basically all words, the same words we’ve heard before, and too little, too late. Naturally, the crowd loved it.

There were about 8 protesters that I saw. Two were positioned near the entrance with “W” signs, and were pelted with restrained insults (i.e. “Bush League") from the gathering crowd as they filed in. Six more anti-abortion protestors were near the exit, complete with gory pictures. As I ran past this group to get to my car, one of them yelled “Yah, go ahead, Run away just like Kerry.” Generally, this gang was being treated with polite indifference by the Kerry crowd.

Bush and his entourage appeared at a High School in Brecksville, Ohio to a crowd that I am guessing was about 3000. This, I must admit, is a complete guess based on my knowledge of the size of the auditorium. I did not attend. The entire event was “by invitation only”. One person that I know who is on the local school board received an invitation and planned to attend, although he is a Kerry supporter. I could probably ask him about the details of this event, but you’ll see enough of that on our ‘Liberal” media anyway.

Brecksville is a very conservative suburb of Cleveland, filled wiith 1/2 million dollar homes. Yes, there are homes priced below that, some as low as $150,000, but the new construction is all $350,000 and up.

My wife participated in a protest at the Bush event. She estimated that there were at least 100 protestors. They were not permitted to use the parking lot and were thus confined to a small corner near the entrance driveway. She commented that many of the people arriving for the event flashed a finger (yes, THE finger) at the protestors as they pulled into the lot. Ohio Highway Patrol, Local Police and Secret Service were everywhere.

For what it’s worth, my perspective is that Northern Ohio is clearly Kerry Country. Bush doesn’t stand a chance here because of the jobs situation in Ohio and the strong ties between Kerry and organized labor.

At the same time, I must ask that everyone who cares about the future PLEASE get out and get active. Turn off the news, ignore the polls, and ignore the Bushies BS. You will be rewarded by lots of support from real people who genuinely care about building a Stronger America beginning right here at home.

<http://www.civilthreat.com | How Secure are your civil liberties?>

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Great report from ground zero

And a good moral to the story. Don't agonize, organize.

[mongo]

2. Thanks for the account

I've seen the gory signed Kerry protesters. They were in Zanesville. I bet they are paid to do this.

Too bad your wife didn't get any closer to the Bush rally. The protest was great when * was in Wheeling last Sunday. We were right out front and then right in front of the parking lot where Bush had to drive right past us to leave. I would say half of the folks attending the rally also walked by us on their way to their cars. A heckling good time was had by all.

At least it was better than the Protest when * was in Cambridge. We were not allowed to stand on a public street with a sign.

[demodewd]

3. re:Cambridge

Lucky you weren't handcuffed and shackled while you were in Cambridge.:D